SAN JUAN City – Bright Akhuetie returned to active duty just in time to carry University of Perpetual Help System-Dalta to their first win at the 92nd National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) games at the San Juan Arena Thursday afternoon (July 1). Akhuetie and the Altas made short work of Jose Rizal University and kept them winless, 58-50.

With the Heavy Bombers threatening on a triple by Bernabe Teodoro, 46-47, Gab Dagangon shot a jumper and Akhuetie buckled down to work and scored his team’s next eight straight points as part of 10-4 run that gave them a 57-50 advantage with 1:22 to go.

Jose Rizal began to fire blanks and Perpetual Help held form on defense. JG Ylagan then split his free throws for the final tally with 33 ticks remaining.

Akhuetie finished with 19 points and eight rebounds. Gerald Dizon followed with 12 points and five rebounds.

“We really missed Bright’s services in our last game, we really need him because we are a small team,” commented Coach Jimwel Gican. “It’s good to get our first win despite our many injuries, finally we cracked the egg.”

Teodoro led Jose Rizal with 24 points but went scoreless in the third before making five in the final period. The rest of the team struggled with Jordan de la Paz and Ervin Grospe the next highest scorers with six points only.

The NCAA Seniors will take a break to give way to the Philippines’ hosting of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament and will resume on July 12. However, the Juniors Division will stage games on July 4 and 11 at the San Juan Arena.